Training programme on “Grow-out Culture and Fattening of Mud Crabs in HDPE Boxes in Bheries” under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) at Digha Regional Station, ICAR- CMFRI

The Digha Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI successfully organized a three-day hands-on training programme on “Grow-out Culture and Fattening of Mud Crabs in HDPE Boxes in Bheries” under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) from 23rd to 25th July 2025. The programme aimed to empower 16 beneficiaries from three groups: Mahakal Group, Monalisa Group, and Maa Chandi Group belonging to various Scheduled Caste communities, including Namasudra, Keot, Jalia Kaibarta, and Rajbanshi. The participants, who reside in the coastal villages of Kalikapur and Deulbatta in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, depend primarily on marine fishing, fish marketing, and allied activities for their livelihood.

The training programme was inaugurated by the Scientist-in-Charge of Digha Regional Station, ICAR-CMFRI, in the presence of Dr. Prasad Chandra Tudu, Scientist-D, Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre (MARC), Zoological Survey of India, Digha.

The training covered a comprehensive range of topics essential for mud crab culture and fattening, including site selection, crab biology and molting, farming methods, nutrition, feeding strategies, sampling techniques, growth monitoring, disease management, harvesting methods, and water quality monitoring. Dr. D. Linga Prabu, Senior Scientist, Tuticorin Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI, served as a resource person and delivered an insightful online lecture on “Nutrition, Feeding Management, Sampling, and Growth Monitoring of Mud Crabs in HDPE Boxes.”

In the current scenario of declining marine fishery resources, the use of HDPE boxes for mud crab culture offers a promising alternative. This method enables the rapid growth and fattening of water crabs or sub-adult crabs, helping fishers to enhance their income while simultaneously reducing pressure on natural marine stocks and supporting the sustainability of coastal fisheries.

The valedictory session and certificate distribution were presided over by Dr. S. Balakrishnan, Scientist-E and Officer-in-Charge, MARC, Zoological Survey of India, Digha. The training programme was effectively coordinated by Dr. Subal Kumar Roul, Senior Scientist and Scientist-in-Charge, Digha RS, ICAR-CMFRI, with valuable technical assistance from Mr. Sudip Mandal,Young Professional-I, Digha RS, ICAR-CMFRI.